You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July, 2008.
We are now in Winnipeg, Canada…crazy to think that 19 days ago we left Saipan. We spent 17 days at home in Illinois. We had lots of loose ends to tie up and things to sort out. I will attempt to catch you up with pictures.
We left Saipan at the ass crack of early, just as the sun was starting to rise…
My Step-Mom had cupcakes waiting for us when we arrived. One for each holiday that we missed while we were away. I see a tiny hand getting ready to snag some frosting…just like his Mama.
We walked to the 4th of July parade. I love small town parades. The fire trucks are my favorite.
We visited a local orchard and picked cherries. At least something good came out of a wasted day of van shopping.
We spent a week in Galena, IL at one of the timeshare condo places that we have. While there, we visited an alpaca farm.
This alpaca thought that FIL was the bee’s knees. I got another picture where poor FIL is practically pushing this alpaca away from him, but I will save that for another time.
Lovely Galena. I adore this town.
President Grant’s house. We got the nickel tour since they were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
We took a walk and found BTH a walking stick. The novelty wore off in about 30 seconds.
We ate fabulous popcorn from here, and BTH did his best Hollywood “It” Girl impression. I recommend the Snickers popcorn & the peanut butter cup popcorn. YUM!
BTH got his first haircut from my Dad. Dad used to be a barber…this was his first haircut that he has given in 19 years. I am a sentimental sap and thought that it would be sweet if Grandpa gave him his first real haircut. The key to a successful first haircut…let the baby eat whatever he wants.
BTH & I pulled weeds and planted flowers in my Mom’s flower beds. It was completely weird and considerably difficult for me. But therapeutic in a way as well.
BTH got to meet and feed Lucy the chicken at Grandmama’s house.
And run around in his best farm boy get-up. The grandmas bought him the boots and I swear, the kid didn’t want to take them off. They are kind of cute.
We went to the local children’s farm and fed Freckles the Llama dandelions.
And then proceeded to try to milk Milly, the old Muller-Pinehurst cow.
BTH says, “Hmm…wonder what this duck is all about?”
Papa says, “I’ll show you.”
FIL thought that maybe BTH would like a short ride around the yard on the 4-wheeler…BTH thought otherwise.
BTH & Papa hanging out on the boat.
On the road again! Our new van is getting a workout driving from Illinois to Juneau, AK through Canada. Good thing DH has a trusy co-pilot to help him navagate. She works cheaply too!
I will try to update as I can…and as free WiFi is available. In the meantime, check out my friend Phoe’s rocking contest. I am going to have to dig deep for this one.
Peace.
This had to be the most painful pack out that we have ever gone through. It was our third pack out since we have been together. First was Louisiana to Guam, then Guam to Saipan, now Saipan to Juneau. In theory, it should have been easier. We got rid of our living room furniture and bedroom furniture, except the box springs & mattresses, frames and baby crib. And we spent a few nights before hand getting things ready. Wrapping up cords, taking things apart, putting similar things together…like all the books and dvds, etc.
When we left Louisiana and Guam, they took one day to pack us up, and the second day to load it all into the truck/shipping crates. These guys here would have been at our house for 3 days if we hadn’t helped them with packing, doing inventory and hauling boxes to the truck. And there were 3 guys – in Louisiana, we only had 2 guys. One guy here spent the entire day in our kitchen, packing. And believe me, there wasn’t enough in there to keep him occupied for a day. Slow mo fo.
But, it is done. Thankfully. (this was the craft/office room)
A highlight was finding my old light up Daiquiri jug with the lights still working.
What was even better was that it kept Conn occupied for about 10 minutes.
We have been at the hotel for a week now and although I adore hotel living, I am ready to get out of here. We are staying at the Fiesta. If you ever get a chance to stay here, I highly recommend spending the extra $$ on the Executive room. Check in is a snap, they whisk you up to the executive floor as soon as you tell them your name and in mere seconds, you are being led to your room. The rooms are lovely, the beds aren’t completely Asian-style (read: rock hard), the baths are well appointed and elegant and the level of service that you receive is outstanding. On the executive floor there is a private, air-conditioned lounge with tables and a couch, wifi, and complimentary beverages all day. There is a continental breakfast included in the price that is served in the executive lounge, along with a complimentary afternoon tea and complimentary happy hour. It rocks. I just wish that I could have a few glasses of wine with DH at happy hour. Oh well.
I think that Conn approves.
Peace.
